Studies for Alto Recorder: Studies aren't just for improving your technique - they can also be fun! In this class we'll find the musical expression in Baroque and modern studies, while also developing dexterity and tone, and untangling technical knots. Music by Braun, Quantz, Staeps, Linde, Melville and others.

Intermediate to advanced recorders (bring your alto)

English Consort Music: 4- and 5-part music by Holborne, Tye, Dowland, Byrd and others.

Intermediate to advanced recorders, viols, other instruments

Modern Consort for Recorders: A variety of modern-era music — mostly tonal! — by Staeps, Linde, Pärt, Fiala, Geysen and others. A great opportunity to explore and increase your appreciation of this underplayed, tuneful repertoire.

Intermediate to advanced recorders

Siesta: A Musical Bestiary: a mixture of consort and other music from the 16th and 17th centuries, on the theme of our feathered and furry friends, plus some insects. Music from across western Europe.

Giovanni Gabrieli — Student and master: Giovanni, before becoming one of the most influential musicians of his time, was taught by his uncle Andrea in Venice, and by Orlando de Lassus in Munich. Giovanni became famous for his innovating style, and musicians from all over Europe would come and study with him. Music from Giovanni and Andrea Gabrieli, Lassus, Hassler and others.

Intermediate to High intermediate recorders and viols

Fantasias on recorders: Both William Byrd and John Jenkins were responsible for developing the viol consort fantasias. They used mild imitation, full on canons, already known material, all in order to create this very interesting genre. Music by Byrd and Jenkins.

Advanced recorders

Dido and Aeneas: Henry Purcell had always written for voice: songs, anthems, plays. But his chamber opera Dido and Aeneas was his first and only all-sung opera, and it derives from the English masque tradition. We will explore some selected pieces from this monumental work, arranged for recorders.

Music of J S Bach and composers Bach admired: Besides the lovely fugues, motets, and other counterpoint by Bach, we will play music by Dietrich Buxtehude and Antonio Vivaldi.

Upper intermediate (and up) recorders

Three British masters: Music by William Byrd, Robert Parsons and Orlando Gibbons. We will play fantasias, consort songs, and sacred choral works by these three British masters of the polyphonic music.

Intermediate (and up) recorders

Mozart's Eine Kleine Nachtmusik and other Fun Arrangements: Kick back and relax with some music to play just for fun. Light Classical works, and maybe a Sousa march or two.

Intermediate (and up) recorders

Siesta: Madrigal (and Motet) singing at a leisurely pace: For those who want more a cappella singing than the 20-minute (rushed) evening sessions, we will be able to enjoy more fa-la-la's in this siesta class. Please indicate which voice you sing when you register.

Bowing Technique: basics for everyone but also good review for advanced players.

All viols

Lupo Consorts: The Lupo family came from Italy and became court musicians in Tudor England. Thomas Lupo composed beautiful trios and quartets for viols that we will play with doubling; and more complex ones for 5-6 viols in madrigal style that we will play one on a part, or with some doubling.

Upper intermediate to Advanced viols

French consort music: This class will explore the wonderful consort music that developed in 16th and 17th c. France, starting with LeJeune, DuCaurroy and Moulinie; culminating in the magnificent Charpentier Suite for Viols.

Advanced viols

Siesta: Stay awake with two contrasting works by Senfl: his Ave Maria based on Josquin; and Das Glaut zu Speyer, a bell ringing song about life in a cathedral town.

Beginning Viol: Learn to play the viola da gamba from the very beginning, hone your skills if you've already begun, try a new size or clef, or bring your questions and problems. Attend all week, or just drop in. Some viols will be available for loan; please email info@toot.org to inquire.

All are welcome!

Tallis 5-part Motets from Cantiones Sacrae. Thomas Tallis managed to avoid the religious controversies that raged during the 16th century, working for both Catholic and Protestant monarchs; yet he remained, like his famous student William Byrd, an "unreformed Roman Catholic". In 1575, the "aged" Tallis and his young printing partner Byrd each selected 17 motets to pay tribute to Elizabeth I; their printing of Cantiones Sacrae was the first major collection of music to be printed in England. We'll look at six motets from this collection, sublimely composed by Tallis. Favorite clefs available.

Intermediate and up, all instruments and voices welcome!

D'India Passionate Madrigals: 16th century - Italian - sweet kisses - cruels looks - tweeting birds - word painting - crashing dissonances: must be unrequited love! Sigismondo D'India published eight very popular books of madrigals, as well as a number of other songs and motets. His various books are in different styles; we'll look at polyphonic madrigals from Books 4 and 5. They remind me of Gesualdo, but not quite so far "out there"; beautiful, passionate, satisfying. Favorite clefs available.